Over a quarter (27%) of UK employers who tried to fill vacancies in the past year have experienced new starters failing to turn up on their first day, a phenomenon commonly known as 'ghosting,' according to new research by the CIPD and Omni RMS.

The findings, from the latest Resourcing and Talent Planning Report, also revealed that 41% of employers saw new hires resign within the first 12 weeks of employment.

In response, the CIPD and Omni RMS are calling on employers to better engage candidates throughout the recruitment process to ensure commitment and manage expectations. The report underscores the importance of effective onboarding to provide clarity and support for new recruits as they settle into their roles.

This research comes amidst a highly competitive labour market, with many employers struggling to recruit and retain talent over the past year. A survey of over 1,000 UK HR professionals and people managers revealed:

• 64% of employers faced difficulties attracting candidates, with 69% agreeing that competition for well-qualified talent has intensified.
• 56% reported challenges in retaining staff, rising to 71% in the public sector. In response, the proportion of organisations addressing retention issues has increased from 29% in 2021 to 42% in 2024.
• Employers are also adopting various strategies to attract candidates, with 35% increasing flexible working opportunities and 34% enhancing pay and benefits packages. Public sector organisations focused more on promoting their values (41%) than on pay (16%).

Claire McCartney, policy and practice manager at the CIPD, emphasized the need for businesses to focus on both recruitment and retention strategies in this competitive landscape. “Engaging and retaining employees begins before new starters even walk through the door," she said.

"Employers should keep communication open with candidates, clearly outline their organisation’s values, and ensure prospective employees are committed to the role.”

McCartney also highlighted the importance of effective onboarding, noting that “supportive and informative inductions can help new starters connect with an organisation and perform at their best.”

Louise Shaw, Managing Director at Omni RMS, expressed concern about the rise in ‘ghosting,’ calling it a significant challenge for business continuity and growth. She explained that poor communication and candidate experiences post-offer are contributing to higher dropout rates. “With high demand for top candidates, many are being countered with multiple job offers before they’ve even started a new role,” Shaw said.

Omni RMS has invested in resources and technology to help reduce ghosting and candidate dropouts by 30% for clients who lack internal resources to manage the onboarding process.

Shaw concluded that organisations must be prepared to address the root causes of candidate ghosting, especially as the economic climate improves.

“Ensuring candidates are kept engaged is more crucial than ever,” she said, adding that the financial and operational implications of losing candidates at this stage can be severe.